Sergei TARASOV

One of the top biathletes of the World at the start of 1990s, Sergey Tarasov missed the 1992 Winter Olympics and made his Olympic début at the 1994 Olympics by skiing the third leg of the Russian relay team that won the silver medal. Five days later, Tarasov won gold in the 20 km and three days after that won bronze in the 10 km to became the most successful biathlete of those Games. The 1998 Olympic Winter Games were less successful for Tarasov as he won only bronze in the relay at those Games. At the World Championships, Tarasov won the 20 km and relay titles in 1996, five silver medals (pursuit in 1997, 20 km in 1993, relay in 1991 and 1993, team event in 1994) and two bronzes (10 km in 1993, and team event in 1991). Tarasov also won the European 20 km title in 1996 and 10 km silver at the same European Championships. Tarasov finished his sporting career after the 1998 Olympics and later has served as president of the Motor Barnaul ice hockey club.

Tarasov missed the 1992 Winter Olympics in an unusual, almost tragic, manner. He was on the Soviet Union national team and had donated blood for blood doping. But after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the national team was not as organized and when Tarasov went in for his blood re-infusion, he was given the wrong blood, went into a coma, and was declared clinically dead. He recovered but was unable to compete at Albertville.